The Crater Lake Monster Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A meteor warms up a lake, hatching a dino egg, and then everyone just kind of gets eaten while two bumbling idiots try to spell ‘bait’ correctly.

🍿 The Crater Lake Monster: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Ancient Awakening in Crater Lake

The film opens in Oregon, where a meteor dramatically crashes into Crater Lake. The intense heat generated by this impact inadvertently acts as a colossal incubator, causing a long-dormant dinosaur egg at the lake’s bottom to hatch. This event sets the stage for the terrifying emergence of a prehistoric creature.

Mysterious Vanishings and Local Investigations

Months after the meteor strike, strange occurrences plague the tranquil lakeside community. Fish vanish from the lake, and local cattle, tourists, and even a criminal begin to mysteriously disappear. Sheriff Steve Hanson initiates an investigation into these unsettling events, which initially defy logical explanation.

The Peculiar Duo and Growing Suspicions

Amidst the unfolding mystery, the audience is introduced to Arnie Chabot and Mitch Kowalski, two bumbling local rednecks who run a boat rental shop. Their often-comical antics provide a quirky counterpoint to the growing horror. As evidence mounts, including bizarre tracks and disturbing discoveries, the sheriff begins to suspect something far more sinister than mere accidents.

Uninvited Guests and a Scientific Dilemma

The situation escalates as the creature’s attacks become more direct, leading to clear evidence of a large, predatory beast. Eventually, scientists arrive on the scene to study the anomaly, identifying it as a Plesiosaur. They advocate for capturing the creature alive for scientific study, creating a moral and practical dilemma for Sheriff Hanson, who is more concerned with protecting his community.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Steve Hanson (Richard Cardella): The local sheriff tasked with investigating mysterious disappearances and confronting the prehistoric monster terrorizing Crater Lake.
• The Crater Lake Monster (The Creature): A prehistoric plesiosaur that hatches from a meteor-heated egg and becomes the primary antagonist, preying on locals and livestock.
• Arnie Chabot (Glen Roberts): One half of the bumbling, dim-witted redneck duo who run a boat rental shop and provide often-unintentional comic relief.
• Mitch Kowalski (Mark Siegel): The other half of the bumbling, dim-witted redneck duo who constantly bickers with Arnie while operating their boat rental business.
• Richard ‘Doc’ Calkins (Bob Hyman): Sheriff Hanson’s friend and the local doctor who, along with scientists, initially advocates for the monster’s preservation for study.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mitch Kowalski: “I’ve been stuffin’ my shoes with newspaper for so long, my feet know more about what’s goin’ on than my head.” – Said by the dim-witted boat rental owner, highlighting his simple-minded and bumbling nature, a source of unintentional comedy.
• Mitch Kowalski: “You spelled bait wrong, it’s spelled B-A-T-E.” – Mitch attempts to correct Arnie’s spelling on their business sign, showcasing their low intelligence and comedic bickering.
• Lady Customer: “Look at all the stars!” – A tourist excitedly points to the sky during a scene that is clearly filmed in broad daylight, comically exposing the film’s poor ‘day-for-night’ cinematography.
• Arnie Chabot: “You startin’ to get the picture, dummy?!” – Arnie yells this at Mitch during one of their frequent arguments, emphasizing their crude and confrontational dynamic.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: $1,000,000+

💥 The Crater Lake Monster Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘The Crater Lake Monster’ is objectively a mess, but honestly, I had a blast with it! I mean, a meteor hatches a dinosaur egg and then people just… disappear? And the sheriff is trying to figure it out while dealing with two bumbling rednecks who are more interested in spelling ‘bait’ than monster sightings. I literally laughed out loud at the ‘day-for-night’ scenes where characters are pointing out ‘stars’ under a blazing sun. The stop-motion dinosaur, though, is surprisingly decent and kind of endearing. It’s the perfect movie to watch with friends and just marvel at the sheer, glorious absurdity of it all.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic B-movies and creature features”
  • “Viewers who appreciate ‘so bad it’s good’ cinema”
  • “Enthusiasts of traditional stop-motion animation”
  • “Those looking for a nostalgic 1970s drive-in movie experience”
  • “Audiences who enjoy unintentional comedy and plot eccentricities”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Creature violence and attacks (implied, some blood/gore depicted, though rated PG at the time)”
  • “Scenes that may be unintentionally comical due to low budget and production issues”
  • “Some crude humor and stereotypical ‘redneck’ characters”

Professional Reviews

• Flicker & Roar: “The Crater Lake Monster is a curious relic from an era when filmmakers still believed in the charm of a man-in-suit monster, even if this one’s stop-motion. While its commitment to the creature is commendable, especially David Allen’s earnest animation, the disjointed plot and amateurish performances often make it a test of patience. A mixed bag that occasionally delights with its pure, unadulterated B-movie spirit.
• Monster Movie Mayhem: “Despite its titular beast, ‘The Crater Lake Monster’ struggles to deliver consistent thrills. The narrative lurches from one inexplicable scene to another, particularly an utterly bizarre liquor store robbery subplot that feels ripped from another film. While the stop-motion plesiosaur is a standout, it’s often sidelined in favor of grating comic relief and uninspired dialogue. A watchable curiosity, but primarily for those with a high tolerance for cinematic chaos.
• The Daily Grindhouse: “For fans of vintage drive-in schlock, ‘The Crater Lake Monster’ is a delightful, if deeply flawed, experience. Its budgetary limitations are glaring, leading to hilarious continuity errors and a soundtrack that wildly swings from ‘moody’ to ‘Looney Tunes.’ Yet, the heart of the film lies in its charmingly jerky stop-motion monster, a genuine effort in practical effects that elevates the entire endeavor. It’s the kind of ‘bad’ movie that’s genuinely good fun.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers adored the unintentionally hilarious dialogue and the bizarre, disjointed subplots.: The stop-motion animation of the monster, particularly given the film’s low budget, was frequently praised as its best feature.

The bumbling antics of the two boat rental guys, Arnie and Mitch, were a source of much amusement, even if they sometimes overshadowed the monster.: Its pure B-movie charm and classic drive-in feel made it a cult favorite for those who appreciate ‘so bad it’s good’ cinema.

Overall Consensus: A cult classic among B-movie enthusiasts, ‘The Crater Lake Monster’ is celebrated for its charmingly amateurish filmmaking, unintentionally hilarious moments, and surprisingly effective stop-motion creature effects, despite its significant plot and production flaws.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Crown International Pictures took over production and did very little post-production work. This led to glaring continuity errors, such as un-tinted day-for-night scenes and the deletion of expository plot points, as confirmed by lead actor/writer Richard Cardella.”
• “Despite its extremely low budget (estimated at $100,000), the film features notable stop-motion animation for the Plesiosaur monster by David Allen, a special effects artist inspired by legendary animators like Ray Harryhausen.”
• “The movie was primarily filmed at Huntington Lake, California, not the actual Crater Lake in Oregon, due to budget and logistical constraints.”
• “The climactic battle sequence where Sheriff Steve Hanson uses a bulldozer to fight the monster is widely considered a direct homage to a similar scene in the 1960 monster movie, *Dinosaurus!*.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Crater Lake Monster?

While ‘The Crater Lake Monster’ may be challenging to find on mainstream subscription streaming services, it is typically available for purchase or rental. You can often ‘search Amazon‘ and other digital storefronts like Apple TV, Google Play, or Prime Video for direct-to-own or rent options, allowing you to enjoy this unique B-movie classic on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Crater Lake Monster, you might like these similar films:

• The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953): A foundational stop-motion creature feature that heavily influenced The Crater Lake Monster’s monster design and overall style, a must-see for fans of classic kaiju.
• Piranha (1978): A quintessential 70s low-budget aquatic creature feature that shares The Crater Lake Monster’s B-movie charm and a focus on localized water-based terror.
• Tremors (1990): A beloved modern monster movie that expertly blends creature horror with a significant amount of humor, appealing to fans of entertaining, unpretentious monster flicks.
• King Kong (1933): A landmark film in stop-motion animation and a powerful story of a monstrous discovery disrupting modern life, sharing The Crater Lake Monster’s core theme of an ancient creature clashing with humanity.
• Equinox (1970): David Allen’s (the stop-motion animator for The Crater Lake Monster) first major film, which earned a significant cult following among sci-fi and fantasy film buffs, making it a natural fit for fans of similar low-budget monster fare.

🛒 The Crater Lake Monster Related Products

• The Crater Lake Monster – Special Edition Blu-ray: Experience this 70s B-movie classic like never before, restored from original elements. Features include director’s commentary (where he explains everything Crown International Pictures messed up), behind-the-scenes footage of the stop-motion effects, and rare promotional materials.
• DIY Stop-Motion Creature Kit: ‘Plesiosaur Unleashed’: Unleash your inner David Allen! This kit provides everything needed to create your own poseable stop-motion plesiosaur model, inspired by the film’s iconic monster. Includes armature, clay, detailed instructions, and a mini lake diorama.
• Crater Lake Cryptozoology: A Field Guide (eBook & Audiobook): Delve deeper into the lore of lake monsters with this comprehensive digital guide. Features historical sightings, theoretical biology, and a chapter dedicated to the ‘Crater Lake Monster’ phenomenon. Includes bonus audio excerpts of ‘expert’ testimony.
• Retro Monster Movie Arcade Game: ‘Dino Lake Rampage’ (Digital Download): Step back to the arcade era with this retro-style pixel art game inspired by ‘The Crater Lake Monster.’ Play as the plesiosaur, chomping on tourists and cattle, or as Sheriff Hanson, attempting to stop the rampaging beast. High scores earn bragging rights!

🎧 Soundtrack

The Crater Lake Monster features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title (Mysterious Happenings)” – performed by Uncredited Studio Orchestra
• “Arnie & Mitch’s Fishing Fun” – performed by The Hillbilly Ramblers
• “Plesiosaur Stomp” – performed by Stock Music Library (Horror FX)
• “The Chase (Van Nuys Breakdown)” – performed by Uncredited Action Ensemble

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Crater Lake Monster – Good Bad Flicks

This video offers a really in-depth look at “The Crater Lake Monster” by GoodBadFlicks, breaking down what makes this monster flick so uniquely… well, *unique*. If you’re curious about the film’s charms and flaws, this analysis is definitely worth a watch!

Best of RiffTrax Monster of Crater Lake

Get ready to laugh with this RiffTrax compilation for “The Crater Lake Monster” – it’s a hilarious take on the film that really highlights its most absurd moments. Seriously, if you enjoy movies that are so bad they’re good, this comedic commentary is a must-see!

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